Logic and Fallacies

Logical fallacies are an issue that occurs on a daily basis, in all age groups. I for one have had this take place in my life. To the other person, their reasons may seem true and legitimate, but chances are, they are the total opposite. One day, after a test, my math teacher told the class that we did poor (as a class) on the test we had just taken. He informed us that the other classes had done better than we had on that same test. My teacher then had an open discussion with us and asked how he could help us improve our scores.

I knew it was a logical fallacy of pity because my classmates were quick to take advantage of my teacher saying he was taking some credit for the poor scores as usual. He asked us if there were ways that he was teaching that we didn’t understand. The answer, in my view, was that they choose not to study. But did choose to tell him ways he could improve teaching like not giving us so many notes and to try explaining things more thoroughly. When my teacher asked my classmates what they could do to improve their grades on the test, they just came up with excuses. Some said, “We have so many classes that it’s hard to study”; this seemed to be the most common excuse. Others said, “I don’t know what to study.” They never took the responsibility for their poor grades and only blamed it on other things.

The situation was resolved because my teacher tweaked the way he taught a little bit. It was also resolved because my classmates started to study more or paid more attention in class. The only reason why I know it was resolved is because my teacher had another discussion with us after our next test and the next test as well as a few after that, which was just as hard as the last one just not really for me. He told us that we did a lot better and was impressed with our improvement.

Pathos in Journalistic Writing

Let's face the music, children and teenagers are growing up much faster than anyone had expected. Their peers, family, home, music, and television are all influencing them on how they behave and dress. The numerous ways students dress can reflect countless of messages such as the latest fashion trend, hand-me-downs, whatever is comfortable, or violence. I remember when I was in middle school. I did not wear the cutest clothes or was with the current fashion trend and was often left out when my friends were talking about clothes. I felt like I did not belong, but I did not want to buy expensive clothing just to feel included by my friends. But now I am in high school and have to wear uniforms.

Every student dreads having to wear uniform, well most, there are some that just don’t care if they have to wear them or not. With uniform, some say that it’s like having a copy of the same kid over and over but we’re all so different. But by restricting students of their clothing choice, they will still find a way to show their personality in their hair, jewelry, and hairstyles. Soon schools will start regulating those as well and boom!

School uniforms have been around just as long as schools themselves, and they play a much bigger role in education than most people think. Uniforms have been proven to promote learning and help kids stay focused in school. Many people believe putting on a uniform resembles a parent putting on a suit, and getting ready for work. This makes the students take a more serious interest in the work they  are doing at school. Also, it has been proven that wearing uniforms provides less of a distraction than fashionable clothes create. With uniforms, there is absolutely no controversy over who has the newest, coolest clothes in school.

Introduction to Persuasion

With the advance in communications today, we all have the opportunity to be involved in other's businesses and lives. The unfortunate part about this, however, is that with this gift... we're also left with the always-true curse of "Everyone has an opinion." This can be in regards to just about anything. Entertainment, politics, lifestyles, etc.

The first persuasive message I encountered was on T.V. It was a State Farm commercial where three men were calling for help after a baseball went through their house’s window. Afterwards, they asked for personal things like a sandwich. Even though the commercial made the point that State Farm agents are there to help you out, it didn't persuade me. It was humorous and fun to watch, but I couldn't believe it.This message wasn't effective to me since it was a hyperbole.

The second advertisement I saw was a billboard for Costco. The billboard was effective in persuading me, because I was really hungry. I knew I could get good food for a good price there based on the advertisement on the board. The board made me feel like I wanted to eat there, because of the price and the picture of the food. It was effective, because it made the food look so good. I got hungry just driving past it.

While browsing through the internet, we inevitably come across advertisements. Whether these influence us depends entirely on whether the advertisement is relevant to our interest or desires. Should we see an ad for a new product that sparks our interest, we may further look into said product, and buy it, or tell others of the new commodity.

Slander and Libel

If I have to choose who would be guilty of either slander or libel in scenario number 2,

"A teenager posts a blog about an ex-boyfriend, listing several of his personal and physical flaws. The ex-boyfriend responds by posting a blog of his own that states several untruths about the person who posted the original blog. Both parties' parents sue each other for defamation of character."

This case is considered to be libel, rather than slander, because slander is where you speak it, whereas libel is usually in print. The case consisted of two teenagers whom were previously in a relationship and both publicly posted false, personal information about each other on the internet. In this case however, the female was the one who originally posted the false information about her ex-boyfriend, which is why I find her guilty of this charge. This reason I don’t find the other defendant guilty is because the things that he said about his ex-girlfriend were posted simply out of self-defense.

First Amendment Freedoms

AMERICAN AMUSEMENT MACHINE ASS'N, et al.,

Plaintiffs - Appellants,

v.

TERI KENDRICK, et al.,

Defendants - Appellees

----------

On Appeal From a Judgment of the United States District Court

for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division

Enacted in July 2001, an Indianapolis, Ind., city ordinance required video game arcade owners to limit access to games that depicted certain activities, including amputation, dismemberment, bloodshed, or sexual intercourse. Only with the permission of an accompanying parent or guardian could children seventeen years old and younger play these types of video games. On March 23, 2001, a three-judge panel of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed and remanded the trial court's decision stating that "children have First Amendment rights." On Monday, October 29, 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari.

Has any similar case come before courts in the past? If so, how was it resolved?

No similar cases has happened in the past.

Does this case deal with a person’s or a group’s freedom of speech?

This case deals with a group's freedom of speech. Specifically children of the age of 17 and younger.

Should the activity in question be restricted in all situations or just this one?

I don't believe that this activity should be restricted at all.

Would you want someone to take this right away from you?

I would not want someone to take this right away from me.

Who could be hurt if this right is upheld? Who could be hurt if it is removed?

The group of children of ages 17 and younger would be hurt of this right were to be upheld.

Sources:
http://www.theesa.com/policy/0301.asp
http://www.fepproject.org/courtbriefs/kendricksummary.html
http://www.thefirstamendment.org/aamaamicus.html

Code of Ethics

As a journalist, you must follow these codes to be an ethical journalist.

1. Journalists and their audience- They never know who their audience could be, a small child for instance or a highly religious woman. They must keep their stories as only information without graphic, violent or offending pictures or words.

2. Journalist must always write truthfully- Journalist should always be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, and seek the truth when reporting and interpreting information.

3. Journalists should never accept any bribes- Journalists should not accept bribes to make someone look better or worse, they must stick to the truth to make sure the public is properly informed.

4. Journalists should always be honest with the public- Journalism must be honest with the public because the community deserves to know the truth about what's going on in their world.

5. Know integrity meaning- As your integrity have more value that money, you must keep it. You must reject everything that may affect your integrity

These are to me the five most important rules to follow for me to consider a person or group as a credible source of information and news.

Introduction to Ethics

Being ethical is being conscientious about your choices. If you are ethical, you know what things are good, and perform those good actions instead of malicious actions. Being ethical can be difficult, but this article will teach you how to do the right thing. They treat others with respect and are nice to people is morally right and therefore is a part of being ethic. An ethical person watches what they say to people.They are honest and respect others’ opinions even if they may not agree, they are entitled to their own opinion which may vary from yours. Also they are mainly responsible and do what they say they will do to show that others can rely on them.

Ethics apply to journalism by helping censor things that might offend the public. It basically delegates what is and isn't appropriate to publish. I believe ethics plays a huge part in news presentations. There is some code of ethics when it comes to presenting the news to public. An ethical journalist knows what stories are appropriate to be reported on. It would be unethical to misguide people who want to be informed. It is also used to decide what images to show and what things to say.

Sources:
http://assembly.coe.int/documents/adoptedtext/ta93/eres1003.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalism_ethics_and_standards